Phillies

Phillies Take NLDS Game 1 with Comprehensive Bullpen Effort and Killer Trea Turner Double Play

By Kevin Kinkead

Published: Oct 7th, 2023 · 9:19 PM EDT

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It could have gone sideways when Rob Thomson pulled Ranger Suarez in the bottom of the fourth.

But it didn’t.

The Phillies took Game 1 of the NLDS in Atlanta with a bullpen masterclass and some key baserunning (!), scoring Bryce Harper on a two-out single and stealing five bases on the evening. They benefited from a Spencer Strider throwing error to get the first run in scoring position, then tacked on a Harper homer and nicked a third run on a reviewed catcher interference call that was not overturned.

After UNCOUTH and BOORISH Braves fans delayed the game by throwing trash on the field, Trea Turner made the play of the night to get out of trouble in the bottom of the 8th:

OH MY TREA AND THE DOUBLE PLAY pic.twitter.com/HoDnjoEmLT

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) October 8, 2023

What was most impressive is that the Phils had some initial hurdles to clear. They stole a franchise playoff record five bases, but the first attempt failed. No problem. They scored three runs, but grounded into a double play to end the first, when they could have jumped out to an early lead. No problem. They could have fallen apart after Thomson gave Ranger the early hook. No problem. Seranthony Dominguez put a couple of runners on but struck out three to get out of the 5th:

SERANTHONY DOMÍNGUEZ WITH A BIG K TO END THE INNING 🔥 pic.twitter.com/82RJK7croS

— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) October 7, 2023

It really was a hell of a performance from the bullpen, which allowed four hits and two walks, striking out four in the process. Topper went six deep in what amounted to an excruciating live experience, but one that was ultimately successful and preserved Suarez for later games in this series:

 

Interestingly enough, the catcher’s interference replay didn’t seem to show much of anything from the various angles available on the broadcast. What was telling was Sean Murphy’s initial reaction, where he kind of tilted his head back as if to say “ah shit, he noticed” or something along those lines:

The only thing I learned from this play is that Sean Murphy seriously needs to learn how to lie pic.twitter.com/a24jm3MDxx

— Addison (@YankeeWRLD) October 8, 2023

Interference was the initial call on the field, so it could have been one of those things where there wasn’t enough to overturn it.

Didn’t matter anyway. The Phillies were the better team. Better pitching, better hitting, better defense. The Atlanta crowd was a non-factor, as always. They stink. Go watch the Georgia/Kentucky game or NASCAR or whatever you do down there.

The Phils have now guaranteed at least a 1-1 split coming back home. Let’s gooooooo.